Chapter 276: Chapter 277
Hiss... Hiss...
A white snake slithered out from Orochimaru's sleeve and dropped to the floor, its body rapidly enlarging before it opened its mouth. From its belly emerged four figures, covered in a slimy, viscous fluid—White Zetsu bodies prepared for a specific purpose.
Orochimaru infused each of the four with Hashirama cells and carefully placed the DNA samples of the four Hokage. Once everything was ready, he quickly formed hand seals.
"Summoning Jutsu: Edo Tensei!"
The sound of fluttering paper filled the room as gray paper scraps materialized and began wrapping around the White Zetsu bodies.
Moments later, the paper and White Zetsu vanished, replaced by four figures:
The First Hokage, Hashirama Senju, clad in red armor, with black hair and black eyes.
The Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, clad in blue armor, with silver hair and red eyes.
The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, dressed in a black combat suit and a ninja hat, his face lined with age.
The Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze, who had already been reanimated once before during the earlier events.
"The four previous Hokage... appearing together!"
Shizune's jaw dropped as she stared in awe, her voice tinged with disbelief. Though she had expected this moment, seeing it unfold was an entirely different experience.
Even Jiraiya and Tsunade were momentarily stunned by the sight of the four Hokage standing before them.
"Back in the living world again, huh?"
The calm voice belonged to Tobirama, who opened his eyes first, scanning his surroundings with a hint of curiosity.
Not far away, Hashirama, less composed than his brother, quickly spotted Orochimaru.
"You again!" Hashirama's usually cheerful tone carried a note of exasperation.
"Grandpa!" Tsunade's voice broke through the moment.
"Huh?"
Hashirama turned, his eyes lighting up as he recognized his granddaughter. "Little Tsuna?"
"It's me!" Tsunade, uncharacteristically emotional, found her eyes welling up.
It wasn't just the joy of reuniting with her beloved grandfather. It was the relief of finally having someone to share the overwhelming burden she had been carrying.
"Little Tsuna, you've grown so much! Hahaha!"
Hashirama laughed heartily, scratching his head before gesturing to compare Tsunade's height now to her height as a child.
While the grandfather and granddaughter caught up, Hashirama roped in the more reserved Tobirama, who eventually joined the conversation.
Meanwhile, Hiruzen's gaze settled on Orochimaru, his expression grim.
Orochimaru noticed and gave his former teacher a chilling smile before stepping back to observe the scene.
Seeing that Orochimaru hadn't restricted their movements, Hiruzen turned his attention to Jiraiya.
"Jiraiya, we meet again."
"Sensei..." Jiraiya's voice wavered, his eyes moist as he looked at his old teacher.
During the Chunin Exams, he hadn't been able to say goodbye to Hiruzen before his passing. Now, the chance to see him again brought a wave of mixed emotions.
Hiruzen patted Jiraiya on the shoulder and smiled. "I always thought you'd be the Fifth Hokage. I never expected it to be Tsunade. Convincing her must've been a challenge."
Jiraiya chuckled bitterly. "It wasn't easy. If not for..."
His thoughts drifted to Naruto, and his expression darkened.
"What's wrong?" Hiruzen asked, sensing the change in Jiraiya's demeanor.
Before Jiraiya could respond, Minato stepped forward, his usual warm smile replaced by a solemn expression.
"Jiraiya-sensei. Third Hokage." Minato greeted them briefly before his voice faltered, weighed down by the events he had experienced.
"Minato!"
Jiraiya clapped Minato on the shoulder, visibly torn between joy and guilt.
"Jiraiya, what's going on here? Why is Orochimaru in Konoha, and why are you working with him?" Hiruzen finally asked, his curiosity and concern getting the better of him.
Jiraiya glanced at Orochimaru, who stood apart from the group. "It's a long story, but the shinobi world is facing an unprecedented threat. We have no choice but to rely on Orochimaru for now."
"Is it because of Hagoromo Gensou?" Minato asked.
Jiraiya's eyes widened. "Wait, Minato, you know about Hagoromo Gensou?"
Hiruzen opened his mouth to explain, but Minato interrupted, recounting everything he had witnessed during his time with the Akatsuki.
Minato's detailed account—of the Akatsuki members, Uchiha Sasuke, unconscious Cloud and Sand shinobi, the massive Gedo Statue extracting the tailed beasts, and the loss of the Nine-Tails' Yin chakra—left everyone stunned.
Even Hashirama, who had been joyfully chatting with Tsunade, turned his attention to the conversation.
Tobirama, with his arms crossed, looked unfazed. "It was only a matter of time. Once Hagoromo Gensou freed himself from Edo Tensei, this outcome was inevitable."
He had warned Hiruzen to deal with Gensou during the Chunin Exams, but circumstances had prevented it.
"Now," Tobirama said, fixing his gaze on Tsunade, "what exactly is happening? You didn't summon us just for a reunion, did you?"
Tsunade nodded and repeated the briefing she had given at the Five Kage Summit.
Jiraiya added, "As Minato described, the Akatsuki and the Uchiha are now under Gensou's control. The unconscious Cloud and Sand shinobi are likely Killer Bee and Gaara. The Two-Tails Jinchuriki might already be on their way or worse, and that colossal statue is probably the incomplete Ten-Tails."
"Just as the Great Toad Sage foretold," Jiraiya concluded grimly, looking around at the gathered Hokage. "We're running out of time."
(End of Chapter)
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